Famed Activist Vittorio Arrigoni Kidnapped in Gaza - Feared Dead

"Who benefits? This is the question we must ask first when something like Vik Arrigoni being kidnapped happens. The answer is, Israel; nobody benefits more than Israel" - Ken O'Keefe

(SALEM / GAZA) - UPDATE: Media sources are reporting that Vittorio Arrigoni was found dead and that the Salafist faction was responsible. His body was reportedly located by Hamas police officers. They said he had been kidnapped, beaten and killed. The video at the bottom of this story shows 'Vik' as he was known to his friends, in captivity.

Possibly the strongest voice in the years-long struggle to free Palestine, 36-year old Vittorio Arrigoni, a journalist and activist with the International Solidarity Movement, was kidnapped in Gaza.

From what we understand, a Salafi Group in Gaza claims responsibility for the kidnapping. Later in the day, a youtube video surfaced showing Vittotio blind folded and beaten up.

Salafi Jehadis say they are asking Hamas government in Gaza to release Abu Al Waleed Al Maqdisi in 30 hours starting from 11:00 a.m. today or else they would kill him.

One person who knows the steadfast dedication of Vittorio 'Vik' Arrigoni is our writer Ken O'Keefe, also in Gaza, who stated the bottom line on this sad day.

"Who benefits? This is the question we must ask first when something like Vik Arrigoni being kidnapped happens. The answer is, Israel; nobody benefits more than Israel."

"So whether they are false-Muslims or agents of Israel, those that have Vik are serving Israel."

All journalists in Gaza, Vittorios friends here and his friends everywhere are asking Hamas to immediately intervene and release Vittiorio who worked hard to help Gaza for a long time.

Arrigoni recently penned two stories for Salem-News.com about Gaza. He has shown the world who he is, now the world needs to show Vik that they are with him.

According to PalToday Magazine, Italian Foreign Affairs Office declared the loss of communication with one of their citizens in Gaza without mentioning names of confirming that its Vittorio, but its obvious in the Youtube Video shared earlier that its him.

Ansar Al Sunah “Salafi” Group in Gaza, declared their responsibility of Vittorio’s abduction and said they will release a press release soon.

Around 4:30 p.m. west coast time, it was tweeted that Vittorio was reportedly in the al-Dughmoush family block in Gaza, and the Hamas police were surrounding the area. Several members of the al-Dughmoush family are said to be associated with Salafist.

This is a group that reportedly looks down on Hamas for not being sufficiently religious and they are known for a rejection of western influence. The only other thing to say at the time of this update is that there is no evidence or credible statements about Vittorio having died.

There was a report of this published by al-Arabiya. They reported that he was found in the al-Saftwai area. However there is no real knowledge at this time as to his disposition. All indications say he is alive.

Articles regarding Vittorio's loss

Articles regarding the death of Juliano Mer Khamis:

Articles by Vittorio on Salem-News.com:

Also:

Advisory regarding comments: Comments on this story need to be of a respectful nature or they will not be approved, you have been advised.

This terrible video clip is included for the sake of conveying maximum information. It is not something anyone needs to watch and the only message is human suffering and ignorance.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 65 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Previous April 17, 2011 2:44 am (Pacific time)

http://jssnews.com/2011/04/15/encore-un-infidele-tue-par-ses-amis-palestiniens/

Misan April 16, 2011 4:34 am (Pacific time)

Hamas 'elected political organization'? You must be joking!

Editor No I'm factual and nobody from the Kneset to London to D.C. denies that Hamas is was elected by popular vote.

The are murderers, and they don't hesitate to kill their own during a reign of terror.

Editor: You are full of it, no truth to your words and you are either lying or not reading the news.

They enslave their own people and draw fire into civilian neighbourhoods in order to gain sympathy from the world.

Editor: They are surrounded by an occupying genocidal government of Zionists called Israel. That is who enslaves Gaza. Again everyone except you already knows this.

They spend their money on weapons instead of building themselves a future.

Editor: Slingshots are homemade, God made the rocks, not a big investment.

No other 'people' on earth gets so much money and spends them so unwisely.

Editor: You are laughable. The Palestinians don't receive money, and you have a heritage here to protect, Jewish people hate Holocaust deniers and revisionists, so why spew these lies about another culture? Doesn't that make you like the Nazi's? Yes it does.

Israel 'legitimate terrorist regime'? You are pathetic. Say what you want but they are there and you will not get rid of them, no matter how may useful idiots you spend, indoctrinate, kill and get killed. So is that the best excuse you have for you apologetism for these terrorists and murderers?

Editor: This is because Zionism is racism and you think something belongs to you when it doesn't. The murderers and terrorists are from Israel. The people under attack and occupation are doing what they can to survive.

They who sacrifice their own children and turn them into killers, training them from early childhood in martyr summer camps, brainwashing them through children's tv to love death more than life and that killing Jews is what God wants from them? That's a religion of love and peace for you. 'Inner ugliness' you have in abundance. You are so sad, I feel so sorry for you to feel the need to hate that much and rejoice in it at that.

Editor Muslim people are just like anyone else, regardless of how much hatred and horrible bigotry you pile onto them. There are great people in history; doctors, scientists, philosophers; you name it. Muslim, Christian, Jew. I understand what is taking place here, your accusations are straight out of right wing Israeli media which is so abundant there. In part you are not to be blamed because you simply are a victim of programming and brainwashing. It is a fact. You are told things by writers and broadcasters and you accept it without challenge and there you find the profound difference between yourself and other people like me, who refuse to walk the line because a custom or religious (modified religious practice) tells us to. You can rise above it, go to Ha'aretz at least and open your mind. You can change t he indoctrination factor. You know that all people are really the same, that they aren't bad because they were born in a certain place or because of a culture they are part of. Within each are people who know better than to perpetrate violence toward others and you can also belong to that set and it does not make you less of a person, not in any way. Again, I believe you believe your words to be true, but please look beyond this and know that all fathers love their children and none want to send them into harm's way. People are desperate during an occupation. Don't judge an entire religion or you have no worth. Judge the bad elements, don't cast judgment over all of it.

DJ April 15, 2011 4:44 pm (Pacific time)

If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

Hopefully one day the confused left will realize that all of this covorting with radical Islamists is solely due to their shared hatred for capitalism, the United States, Jews, and Christians.

Muslims will always get you in the end...

If Vittorio was a homosexual, he would have found himself dead even sooner, yet gays march against "Israeli apartheid" - a country with pro-gay policies. The irony is too much.

Leftists and Islamists make strange bedfellows.

Editor: Israel is a war crime nation, a genocide broker, you are missing the point my friend. You are completely bass ackwards wrong

Shaun April 15, 2011 12:54 pm (Pacific time)

Thankyou for your response to my post of 12:15am.

My whole problem with you lot is with the fact that you absolve the palis of all responsibility, they are perfect and pure as the driven snow. All you ever bang on about is how bad (dare I say evil) the Israelis are and never even for one second suggest that the palis adjust their thinking or actions.

I wake up to the news that hamas has just fired more rockets from Gaza into Israel. Doesn't firing an anti-tank rocket into a school bus full of kids bother you? Of course not. These children are legitimate targets according to hamas and clearly, you agree.

That is why your stance will always be wrong.

Editor: The total number of Israelis killed by rocket attacks varies somewhere between 23 and 28 in all of history. It is a joke that the 'rocket attacks' are so highly touted but never really explained. Cast Lead- 1400+ killed with Israel's illegal weapons. You want Israel to be in the right when it is not. No, I do not think Palestinian people are perfect, but if I was fighting the Nazi's to free the Jews in say '44 or so, I wouldn't question the character of the victims, dig?

dea April 15, 2011 11:58 am (Pacific time)

can we please send the rest of the "activists" from Europe and Americas there now? pretty please!!

Skandal April 15, 2011 11:55 am (Pacific time)

The murder of a man who supported and aided a terrorist group at the hands of another terrorist group is not a tragedy. It is cause for celebration.

Better a thousand wannabe ‘revolutionaries’ like Arrigoni die than one innocent.

Editor: Vittorio was Murdered, that is a terrible thing. He worked for peace, not for terrorists.

Doug Kenwright April 15, 2011 11:49 am (Pacific time)

'Peace activist' my ass.

A good commie is a dead commie. A thousand more 'Vics' hanging from a rope cannot even begin to redress the tens of millions murdered by his heroes in the name of Communism...and you dare to claim the Israeli's are Nazis?

Editor: Vittorio was a peace activist, get it through your thick head. All of you yelling doesn't mean jack.

The National Socialists? The brown clad jr. Communists who made truck and trade with the Islamists to rid the world of Jews?

Editor: Are you vying for the stupid comment of the month award? Your competition is stiff.

The author's self assured ravings say more of his mental state than any dubious authority on the subject at hand.

Editor: This is not about raving, it is about responding to disrespectful assholes.

Mr. Goldstone was duped by your kind's Taqiyya, most clear headed folks are not.

Choose your friends wisely lest they come for you too.

Editor: Live like a man or die like a coward. Vik was a lion of men. You who are his detractors are not.

-Palestine April 15, 2011 4:47 am (Pacific time)

islam has NOTHING to do with this, Hammas and Alqaeda hide behind Islam so they could look kinda innocent, I am a Palestinian and I know, this man doesn't deserve to be killed, but I think that Iran did it, and now we Palestinians look like bad people, because a Palestinian guy killed him, this is how it looks: An Italian guy who supports Palestine got killed by PALESTINIANS... but I SWEAR Muslims aren't terrorists, Iran , and Alqaeda Hide behind ISLAM but in islam a person who kills another person goes to hell! Bin ladin and all his crew ARE indeed terrorists but Muslims aren't and this guy deserved to live more than ANY of these terrorists and they will burn in hell.. I just wanted to spread this word: Muslims are no terrorists, Palestinians do LOVE and appreciate everything he has done for them and he hopefully will go to heaven, and I hope you guys believe us.. I am terribly sorry for your loss :( for further informations you can contact me on: crazy-bunny-97@live.com thank you

abdull April 15, 2011 4:13 am (Pacific time)

u are criminals all ur people is not humans...islamist musnt live

Anonymous April 15, 2011 2:17 am (Pacific time)

Italian activist found dead in Gaza after abduction - BBC

Editor: Thanks for this, but note how classless the BBC is for showing the photo of Vik with tape over his eyes, everyone has seen the video and that wasn't necessary. I hope people will contact the BBC and complain and ask them to immediately remove that image and stop being Israel's stooge proxy. It is truly outrageous, but then the BBC doesn't like Arab people, that is clear.

Anonymous April 15, 2011 2:16 am (Pacific time)

Sad to read that he was killed.

Claire Berlinski, Ed.: Vittorio Arrigoni and Non-Violent Resistance

Editor: Thanks

Shaun April 15, 2011 12:15 am (Pacific time)

Tim, you seem disconnected from reality. The "people" he was championing (the bad guys) captured him, beat the living snot out of him and then killed him. You then do all sorts of mental contortions to foist the blame onto Israel. People like you Tim ARE the problem. You simply cannot place the blame where it belongs. This tosser was the victim of his own stupidity. Muslims tortured and murdered him and you will do everything within your tiny minds capacity to blame the jews. How sad it must be to be you.

Editor: It was an offbeat faction Shaun, don't act like you didn't read the story. Watch the video, this guy was loved by the Palestinians. Years of occupation tend to make terrible things happen. This is a sad day. There is a huge different between the majority of Muslim people who are awesome, and the religious zealots. Just like with Israel, every Jew isn't a Zionist, many abhor what is taking place.

Editor is a liar April 15, 2011 12:09 am (Pacific time)

(JPost) A large Egyptian army contingent deployed on Thursday night around the Israeli Consulate in Alexandria after hundreds of protesters gathered there and called on Egyptians to join in a “third intifada” against Israel, Israel Radio reported.

Organizers of the protest in the country’s second-largest city called on fellow Egyptians to join the Palestinians in a renewed armed struggle against Israel.

Editor: Yeah I'm sure it's about ready to go off, you can only push and abuse people for so long and they fight back. Funny how Israel seems to live in some dream world where that isn't so.

Anoymous April 14, 2011 11:39 pm (Pacific time)

Editor. Hamas was elected once. Now it seems that they are done with elections. Israel, on the other hand, has regular elections.

Hamas has stated in it's charter that it will not rest until the state of Israel ceases to exist. Israel, on the other hand, seeks to make peace with its neighbors, as it already has done with Jordan and Egypt.

Editor: Look, can you trace the history on this? They are not doing anything wrong for years. They stopped all suicide bombing, they halted the rocket attacks except for lately with all hell breaking loose and also just before Cast Lead. Hamas has been dealing with the crazies inside Gaza and all they get is bad press and almost all of it is off track. I would feel ten times safer around Hamas than I would around the IDF units operating around Gaza. Please understand that Israel is in major violation of people's civil rights. The existing policies are not improving things, even from an Israeli standpoint. The pat lines are getting very old and Hamas is absolutely outgunned. You expect people who have been herded into a walled prison camp to be chipper about the occupation and that is impossible for any human being. The borders from 1967 have to be reinstated, the settlers have to go, and then maybe peace is possible. Salaam In'shallah

drthslpeab April 14, 2011 11:17 pm (Pacific time)

Who were his kidnappers? Has anyone ever heard of these guys before? And don't try and sell me that it was Israel...or you lose all credibility.

Editor: They are fairly well documented. They are religious zealots who stand opposed to Hamas because they believe Hamas is soft on vices and apparently they don't want western influence. Don't tell us we would lose credibility if it were suggested that Israel had something to do with it, they hated this man for standing up to them and exposing what they were doing. The anti-ISM site that suggests killing the peace activists, had him listed. So don't give me your song and dance about the sanctity of Israel because it is only a figment of your imagination. No offense.

Wall of Lies April 14, 2011 11:07 pm (Pacific time)

Editor: Sorry, your comment was too long to publish, please feel free to shorten it by about a thousand words and then resubmit it.

finklestein's ghost April 14, 2011 10:35 pm (Pacific time)

"Editor: Today you aren't 'Saul Morgenstern' eh Zionist? You disrespect everything decent in the world, prick. And for the rest of you dirt bag idiots, bring it on. You are all cowards and you are worthless. Karma, for sticking for little children facing genocide. For God's sake that is a stupid thing to say."

What kind of "editor" do you think you are, Hitler?

We're gonna bulldoze Gaza flat and hopefully you terrorist vermin will all be there to meet with The Blace like that Arab-schtuping whore Rachel Corrie.

Editor: You're going to do jack squat because the world is going to put a stop to it. You represent evil and the dark side, and you make that reference about me? I kick Nazi ass too so don't go there little man. You operate in the spirit of bigotry and everything we are raised to believe is wrong. It isn't an argument.

sonjohn April 14, 2011 10:31 pm (Pacific time)

the ISM people have been suppressing evidence of WB/Gazan violence against their members. Occasionally, we find out that one of the women was raped or assaulted by Palestinians. Not only was this water-carrier for terrorists responsible for getting himself killed, but those ISM types who have covered up Palestinian violence are also responsible for creating a climate in which thugs can attack them with impunity and suffer no consequences.

Editor: Do you realize you are on a par with the Nazi support groups that disguised Hitler's crimes? Even if there is a degree of truth to your assertion, and it is the first time I have ever heard of it and my mailbox is loaded all day with crap from hateful people who come up with all kinds of stories about the good people trying to help the poverty stricken and choked population of Gaza. Do you ever use the term 'Israeli thugs' for any reason? Do you have any idea the amount of sexual harassment Palestinian women put up with from Israelis in West Bank?

And the international community keeps insisting that Israel adopt the same strategy of not responding when attacked. Madness!

Editor: Israel has lost a tiny number of people in comparison and they bring it all on themselves. Try treating people legally as demanded by international law and you might be surprised at how willing people would be to work with you.

Finally, this is yet more evidence that terrorism doesn't have an "off switch" - that once a culture of support for terrorism becomes entrenched, terrorists inevitably turn on their own supporters. If terrorism is okay "as long as the cause is just/right/holy," then someone will always find a cause that they think is just/right/holy enough to justify terrorism.

Editor: Pure rubbish, you are another bigot judging all of the Palestinian people based on the retaliation of a few. Indeed, the Israelis are the terrorists by any definition. There is no comparison at all, God bless everyone. It is Israel that has no off switch and not even a hint of a yearning for real peace. It will get what its politician and popular support brings.

Sal Rosenthal April 14, 2011 10:08 pm (Pacific time)

Wow, Karma's a bitch I guess.

Editor: Today you aren't 'Saul Morgenstern' eh Zionist? You disrespect everything decent in the world, prick. And for the rest of you dirt bag idiots, bring it on. You are all cowards and you are worthless. Karma, for sticking for little children facing genocide. For God's sake that is a stupid thing to say.

Laughing My Ass Off April 14, 2011 8:12 pm (Pacific time)

hoo hoo ha ha

Unlike the Israelis, Vitorrio actually did "occupy" Gaza. LOL He supported the subhuman "Palestinians", but in the end, treated the same way as the Fogel children. LOL

Graceless subhuman cockroaches don't even know who their allies are.

LOL

Editor: It is you who will answer for that attitude someday. Thank for showing your true colors, ruddy brown right? Like the color of shit?

Nova April 14, 2011 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

Islamist terrorists have no mercy for anyone that does not share their beliefs, especially not some kufar from Italy. You can deny until the day is long, but the body count grows and grows and grows...

Editor: I'm sure that may be true, but many are mischaracterized by people like yourself. What do you have to say about the Israeli Zionist terrorists? I can list pages of examples that you can in turn correlate with the definition of terrorism in Merriam Websters. My advice is to understand that this is an extremely isolated incident and if these human beings weren't surrounded by walls and treated like sub-humans, then the insanity would be several degrees lower. Let's never forget that the Israeli religious settlers are nothing less than religious fanatics. They fire rockets at Palestinian villages, they have training cells and have weapons in the hands of children. Vik knew all of this, he knew about the way Israel attacks Gaza's unarmed fishermen. Just be kind in your thoughts, that is a good starting point.

April 14, 2011 6:33 pm (Pacific time)

I hope Ken is not next.

Maryam Mad April 14, 2011 6:42 pm (Pacific time)

NOW THERE ARE COMING THOUSANDS OF VITTORIOS!!! Zion can not defeat the Lion (1 Ummah) Alhamdulillah

silverdog April 14, 2011 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

You Gazaphiles better start evacuating Gaza. This is a trend likely to continue - since you have FAILED to free Gaza of anything but its Jews.

From Israel April 14, 2011 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

He is Dead and it is tragic!!! Those who are so grotesque with the loss of human life have nothing to do with us (Eretz Israel). We know too well that this is another horrible victim of this absurd situation that we are in (both Jews and Palestinians)... Plenty of blame to go around. AND this comes from an active 20yr IDF officer, so I know a little something about my neighborhood... Vic, Rest in Peace. Too your family I am so very sorry for your loss. Shalom/Salaam (one day)

Najib the Moroccan April 14, 2011 5:09 pm (Pacific time)

This is an israeli act!It will backfire on the zionist terrorist state! The rogue state of Israel is doomed!The zionist Arab tyrants are falling one by one, and the next Arab governments will be democratically elected! The new arab democracies will severe ties with israel and unite against it as we see already! South America and soon the EU recognize an independent Palestine despite all the threats they were and are still subjected to! The Flotilla will be much bigger than the last in May! Hamas and Fatah are reuniting! Don't go away Israel the party is at your place and we are all inviting ourselves! I am one of those who was fooled by Osla, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! So in the end, instead of getting fooled I became more fierce in my opposition to israel than ever! see everything backfires israel? I speak about Palestine everyday and all over the world from Canada to Morocco and Germany or Russia which I all visit quite often! I don't drink Coca Cola, don't eat Danone, I stay away from nestlé, Hugo Boss and every firm that supports the zionist regime! May God bless palestine and grant glory to all Muslim! May God free all the oppressed people of the world regardless of their race or religion! May God curse zionists!

Gloria April 14, 2011 5:07 pm (Pacific time)

How can so many people have such black hearts? No I'm not talking about terrorists, it's the people commenting here! All you should be doing is praying for his safe return, but instead you express EVIL. What did he do to you? Why are you so afraid that all people can work together toward a common cause? Just because he's doing something that you think is a waste of time (be honest) doesn't mean he should refuse to do what's right to appease you. Don't worry SHINGA, or HOLDEN or ARTURO, there will be no Heaven's gates awaiting your dark souls. In the meantime, those that have sincerity and kindness and a true relationship with our Creator will stay the course, and pray for peace, in spite of you.

Israel April 14, 2011 4:43 pm (Pacific time)

People are so unkind, Vic is a kind and generous person with no exceptions. His heart is heavy particularly over the tragic loss of so many children in Gaza.

Anonymous April 14, 2011 4:06 pm (Pacific time)

I also hope that he will be freed soon, but since when does being an elected government give them the right to continually commit terrorist acts?

zvi April 14, 2011 3:47 pm (Pacific time)

since israel is so evil, I wonder if Mr. Arrigoni would rather be in Gaza or Israel right now. I know, I have inner ugliness.

Muhammad April 14, 2011 3:45 pm (Pacific time)

Karma is a biatch! When you sleep with dogs you wake up with flees, I hope they saw his head off to the beat of a nice Hora song... Habibi Yalili..... Lol. Peace and love to all.

Editor: Thanks for showing us who people that oppose Vik really are, and what they root for.

kalemat hakekeah April 14, 2011 3:34 pm (Pacific time)

Lie down with dogs wake up with fleas (or no head).

Anonymous April 14, 2011 3:29 pm (Pacific time)

Love and prayers for Vik. He is a good man, and we need him back.

Arturo April 14, 2011 3:24 pm (Pacific time)

I think it's fabulous and quite telling when the brave warriors of islam begin killing each other, and their friends!! Bravo Allahu Fubar!!!

Editor: Vic is an Italian peace activist and journalist, you obviously are just looking for a way to root for evil, right? He is a thousand times the man over any of you.

Holden April 14, 2011 3:16 pm (Pacific time)

I volunteer Ken O'Keefe to take Arrigoni's place.

Editor: So you're 'Holden' today and not 'Jesus'? You know it is funny that a person who is a name fraud would suggest this. We know however that those whose hearts are true; the people who place their own lives in harm's way for the good of humanity, always have their detractors and enemies. Vic and Ken are not people someone with a self identity crisis who thinks he is Jesus from time to time would even begin to understand. They are living a life few could or would be able to withstand, all to help a nation besieged by an Israeli occupation with genocide at its root.

Anonymous April 14, 2011 3:15 pm (Pacific time)

We are praying for Vic's safe return.

Shinga April 14, 2011 2:26 pm (Pacific time)

The man has been supporting the Hamas terrorists for the past few years. What comes around goes around. I have no pity for him.

Editor: Of course you don't, people like you don't have any concept of humanity. Hamas is an elected political organization; Israel on the other hand is a legitimate terrorist regime. I hope you live to regret such inner ugliness.

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